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Egypt and Iran Protest Seattle’s Pride-Themed World Cup Match as FIFA Stays Silent

Seattle designated the June 26 fixture as a Pride Match months before the draw through a local committee independent of FIFA.

Overview

  • The Group G match at Lumen Field falls on Seattle’s Pride weekend, and local organizers say the Pride programming will proceed.
  • Iranian federation president Mahdi Taj said Iran and Egypt have filed formal protests and plan to raise the matter with FIFA.
  • Egypt’s football association said it sent a letter to FIFA rejecting any Pride‑related activities during the game and cited FIFA statutes on neutrality.
  • Seattle’s Pride Match Advisory Committee and the local organizing committee emphasized a city‑led effort to create a welcoming environment that is not run by FIFA.
  • Human‑rights groups report both countries penalize same‑sex relations, including possible death sentences in Iran and morality‑law prosecutions in Egypt, and FIFA has not commented.